Agriculture Workforce Training for Collaborative Leadership (AWT4CL)

by Ben Casteel --  I have fond memories of my time as a Scout; and though I never made it to Eagle rank, I proudly wore the sash embroidered with the merit badges I earned.  When we began working on digital badging for students in our Agriculture & Natural Resources programs in conjunction with the AWT4CL project , I couldn’t help but to reminisce and draw parallels to the BSA merit badge process .  After two years of piloting the AWT4CL Digital Learning Badges , I strongly believe that there is so much more to these virtual credentials; and what better way to confirm this than by working directly with employers. As a program chair in a technical field, I am not only concerned with grades but even more so for the students employability.  It is for this reason that we meet annually with our Curriculum Advisory Committees at Virginia Highlands Community College.  The Horticulture and Natural Sciences Committee is comprised of 9 representatives (mostly owners/...

Author: Eric K. Kaufman     -- As America’s workforce changes, so does the nature of the work and skills necessary for success. “We know that some skills are more lasting. Skills like leadership, collaboration and communication are usually described as soft skills, but they should be referred to as durable skills” ( Auger, 2019, para 4 ). Of critical importance to agriculture’s workforce, “employees who have the underlying durable skills can be taught and retaught job skills more easily as needs, jobs, and careers change over time” ( D2L, 2019, p. 4 ).  Toward this end, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) identified 11 employability skills that are most important to stakeholders yet typically have the largest gaps in terms of readiness ( Crawford & Fink, 2020 ). Moreover, areas of rising concern include "new employees’ ability to navigate persistence, ambiguity, change, and conflict in the workplace" ( Crawford & Fink, 2020, p. 2 ). D...

Author: Megan M. Seibel     -- Elevating Workforce Readiness with Digital Learning Badges: Recognize and Deal Constructively with Conflict In the workplace environment, change is inevitable. Accepting the type of change, aspects of the change, and impacts on those in the middle of it is not always easy or well-managed. The Recognize and Deal Constructively with Conflict digital learning badge (Badge 10) signifies a person’s appreciation and understanding of conflict management in the workplace. For educators and facilitators, integrating this badge into curricula reinforces essential skills that bridge the gap between academic preparation and workforce expectations. The Importance of Recognizing and Dealing Constructively with Conflict Consider the following observation from a report on "Conflict and Disagreement at the Farm" : For most of us, conflict can be a negatively loaded word. Wherever choices exist, there is potential for disagreement. Such differences, when h...

Author: Megan M. Seibel     -- Elevating Workforce Readiness with Digital Learning Badges: Accept and Apply Critique In today’s evolving workplace, adaptability and effective communication are critical for professional growth. The Accept and Apply Critique and Direction in the Workplace digital learning badge (Badge 08) empowers learners to embrace constructive feedback as an essential tool for improvement. For educators and facilitators, integrating this badge into curricula reinforces essential skills that bridge the gap between academic preparation and workforce expectations. The Importance of Accepting and Applying Critique Receiving feedback with a positive attitude and turning it into actionable improvement is a valuable skill. In APLU's report on Critical Growth Areas for Students Today , "accept and apply critique and the direction in the workplace" is the third largest preparedness gap identified by employers.  This badge helps learners address this gap and...

From Conversations to Careers: Embedding Relationship-Building into Your Curriculum -- Authors: Jama S. Coartney and Donna M. Westfall-Rudd    -- In today’s competitive workforce, technical skills alone are no longer enough. The ability to build professional relationships—through active listening, emotional intelligence, and intentional networking—is a key factor in career success. Yet, research from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) highlights a significant gap: students entering the workforce often feel unprepared to form professional connections . The Build Professional Relationships digital learning badge (Badge 07) provides a simple, structured way for educators and facilitators to close this gap. By integrating this badge into existing curricula, you can help learners strengthen the networking skills that are critical for team leadership, collaboration, and career-readiness. Introducing the Badge for Building Professional Relationships At the ...

Author: Celeste Carmichael     -- In a world that demands adaptability and creative problem-solving, the Transfer Knowledge from One Situation to Another Badge (Badge 06) recognizes a learner’s ability to apply knowledge and experiences to new, often complex contexts. This badge showcases critical reflection and demonstrates how mastery in one area can fuel success in another. Why Knowledge Transfer Matters in Agriculture Transferring knowledge is essential in fields like agriculture. For instance, a farmer adopting pest management techniques from one crop to another can improve sustainability and address challenges posed by changing climates. For instructors, this badge emphasizes the value of problem-solving and innovation, encouraging students to connect learning across disciplines and real-world situations. What is the Transfer Knowledge Badge? Earning a Transfer Knowledge badge recognizes learners who can connect learning across contexts - from classroom to work, l...

Author: Jama S. Coartney     -- In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to communicate effectively is more than just a useful skill—it's essential for professional success. Whether talking to a farmer, consulting with an extension agent, or discussing agricultural regulations, communication skills play a crucial role. The badge Communicate Effectively—also known as "Communicate Accurately and Concisely"—highlights a key skill that helps learners develop. Improving this skill will help to build the capability to share information clearly and meaningfully. Why Does Effective Communication Matter in Agriculture? Communication is particularly important in agriculture, where people often engage with a variety of stakeholders.  Agricultural work frequently requires collaboration across multiple areas of expertise. Clear communication becomes essential for smooth, productive interactions. Digital learning badges are a tool that can help integrate learning into the curricul...